Open Access
ARTICLE
David Grewell*, Sean T. Carolan, Gowrishankar Srinivasan
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 231-241, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634120
Abstract : Soy protein plastic formulations were developed through iterative experimental stages to produce waterstable, soy protein isolate (SPI)-based plastic resins. The protein polymer-based materials are glycerol and
water plasticized resins that have been described as thermoplastics [1] by some researchers and have been
described as materials that behave similar to thermoplastics upon application of heat and pressure [2].
Previous researchers have developed SPI plastic for various applications, all of which were adversely effected
by water absorption. The formulations in this research included anhydride chemistries, such as maleic
anhydride (MA), phthalic anhydride (PA), and bifunctional chemistries, such as adipic acid in… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
M.Thébault*, A.Pizzi, E.Fredon
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 242-252, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634121
Abstract Sunfl ower oil was subjected to a fl ow of compressed air containing ozone for different time periods. The
addition of α-D-Glucose was used to increase the aldehyde content by reduction of the intermediate ozonides
of the ozonation reaction. These new oils were analyzed by FTIR and GC-MS spectrometry, and their relative
aldehyde groups content measured by the Henick method. They were then mixed with an aqueous solution of
Radiata Pine tannin to form resins, subsequently analyzed by 13C NMR and MALDITOF mass spectrometry.
Wood particleboards were then made using some of these resins as the adhesive, and their internal… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Sudhakar Muniyasamy1, Andrew Anstey2, Murali M. Reddy1, Manju Misra1,2, Amar Mohanty1,2,*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 253-272, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634117
Abstract Lignocellulosic composites have attracted interest from both academia and industry due to their
benefi cial environmental and sustainability attributes. The lignocellulosic industry has seen remarkable
improvements in the development of composites for high performance applications. Both biodegradable as
well as non-biodegradable polymers are used in the design and engineering of lignocellulosic composites.
Biodegradability studies of lignocellulosic composites in soil and composting environments help in planning
their end-life management. Biodegradability tests are complex and dependent on the environment in which
the testing is carried out. Due to this, standards have been developed by international agencies such as the
American Society for… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
M.C. Basso1,2, A. Pizzi1,3,*, A. Celzard4
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 273-278, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634125
Abstract : Simultaneously monitoring the variation of temperature, foam rising rate, internal foam pressure and
dielectric polarisation, the latter being a direct measure of setting and curing of a thermosetting foam, has
allowed the comparison of the dynamic variation of determinant parameters of polyurethane foams and
of tannin/furanic foams of different formulation and characteristics. This monitoring provides a good
description of the process and possible characteristics of the prepared foam and constitutes an invaluable tool
for foam formulation. Such a comparison indicates that fundamental differences, but also similarities, exist
between the foaming processes of the two classes of foam. The dynamics… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Sihan Wang, Reza Masoodi*, Janet Brady, Brian R. George
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 279-288, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634122
Abstract Recycled natural fi bers and biopolymers with sustainable, eco-friendly, and biodegradable properties are
receiving increased attention. The moisture absorption and swelling of natural fi ber composites adversely
infl uence their mechanical properties and applications. In this research, bio-based epoxy polymers that are
reinforced with recycled woven jute fabrics were subjected to water immersion tests in order to study the
effect of water absorption on their mechanical and geometrical properties. For comparison, petroleum-based
epoxy polymers that are reinforced with new woven jute fabrics were also subjected to the same tests. The
effect of fi ber percentage on water absorption, thickness swelling,… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Weeradech Kiratitanavit1, Sethumadhavan Ravichandran2,Zhiyu Xia1, Jayant Kumar3,4, Ramaswamy Nagarajan1,4,*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 289-301, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634126
Abstract Globally, certain types of halogenated fl ame retardant additives (FR) are becoming increasingly regulated
or banned from being used in polymers. There is an immediate need for alternative non-toxic thermally
stable polymers and char-forming additives. Development of non-halogenated FR for the commonly used
and highly fl ammable thermoplastics, namely polyolefi ns, is particularly important and challenging. This
research explores the possibility of utilizing char-forming compounds based on polymer of cardanol as an
additive that can lower the heat release capacity (HRC) when blended with polypropylene (PP). Polycardanol
is thermally stable and exhibits moderate HRC upon thermal decomposition and forms a… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Pushpa Bhardwaj1, Susheel Kalia2,3,*, Amit Kumar1, Hemant Mittal4
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 302-310, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634123
Abstract The objective of the present study is to elucidate the effect of peroxide treatment and graft copolymerization
on water absorption behavior of soy protein fi bers in order to make them suitable as a reinforcing material.
Grafting of poly(methyl acrylate) and copolymers was successfully carried out on peroxide-treated soy protein
fi bers. Different reaction parameters were optimized in order to get maximum percentage grafting. The grafted
fi bers were evaluated for water absorption behavior in deionized water. Maximum grafting has been found at
0.219 mol/l of methyl acrylate, 0.0096:0.145 mol/l of FAS:H2O2
, 323 K, and 90minutes. Graft copolymerization
results… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Arnaud Nicollin1, Xinjun Li1, Pierre Girods1, Antonio Pizzi1,2,*, Yann Rogaume1
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 311-316, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634124
Abstract Experimental investigations have been carried out on the potential use of tannin-furfuryl alcohol resin for
biobased composites using vegetal fi ber reinforcement. Results showed that a mixture containing 54% furfuryl
alcohol, 45% modifi ed quebracho extract and 0.9% paratoluenesulfonic acid as a catalyst yields a resin that
can be used with a nonwoven fl ax fi ber mat to manufacture lightweight composites with good mechanical
properties and a very short curing time with a regular hot press. The panels made were tested for tensile and
fl exural modulus and strength, water resistance and thermo-degradation. More >
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